Power sector mess: Nasrul takes flak in the House
Opposition lawmakers yesterday slammed State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid for the government's alleged failure to manage the power crisis and widespread corruption in the sector.
"For Awami League leaders, the power sector has become a billionaire-making factory. I have the information and a list. If necessary, I will send them to the power minister," BNP MP Harunur Rashid told parliament.
He made the comment while taking part in a discussion on the Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation Bill, 2022.
Calling for an open discussion in the House, the lawmaker said, "Let the nation know how the government had this disaster coming over the last 15 years."
He questioned the "indemnity" given to the quick rental power plants. He also wanted to know if bringing electricity from India spending thousands of crores of taka was justified.
"We must not forget that India is causing sufferings to us in various sectors. You are gradually relying on imported power from India. The power sector is at risk due to the dependency on import."
Gonoforum MP Mokabbir Khan said the power sector is in distress.
"An evil force has grabbed this sector. Listening to the speech of the state minister, it seems to me that he is working as the spokesperson for that force."
Jatiya Party MP Rowshan Ara Mannan said gas crisis was taking a turn for the worse.
"The situation would not have been like this if we had arranged extraction of gas. Gas is now not available for cooking in Dhaka at daytime," she said.
BNP lawmaker Rumeen Farhana said it doesn't matter what the country's power generation capacity is, but the reality is load shedding is occurring.
She alleged that massive plundering took place in the form of quick rental power projects that were given impunity.
"Rental power plants are being run shutting those of the government to give an unbelievable amount of money to some individuals," the MP said.
In his response, State Minister Nasrul said indemnity has been given to rental power plants and the people are "enjoying benefit of this facility".
He said if the BNP lawmakers submitted written questions to parliament, he would give them written answers.
Earlier, the Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation Bill, 2022, was passed to expedite exploration of oil, gas and mineral resources in the country.
The new law will replace the Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation Ordinance, 1985, which was declared void by court as it was promulgated during the regime of a military dictator.
The House passed the bill by voice vote.
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